Published March 20, 2011 10:17AM
New Zealand’s Kris Gemmell successfully made the jump up to long-course racing, while the United States’ Mary Beth Ellis proved she is healthy after an injury-plagued 2010 season, at the 2011 Ironman 70.3 Singapore triathlon.
Gemmell demonstrated his ITU speed from the beginning by exiting the water first with a time of 27:44. Great Britain’s Scott Neyedli and New Zealand’s Guy Crawford passed Gemmell on the bike. As is the case in many half-Ironman races, the win went to the strongest runner. Gemmell posted a fast half-marathon time of 1:13:40 to take his first 70.3 title in 3:50:56. South Africa’s James Cunnama turned in a fast run time to propel himself from ninth off of the bike to second at the finish line. Australia’s Pete Jacobs earned third.
The women’s race was largely a battle between TeamTBB teammates Amy Marsh and Ellis. Marsh has the upper hand on the swim and the bike, but it was Ellis who pulled through on the run. Ellis’ 1:28:10 half marathon narrowly gave her the victory in 4:21:06. Marsh earned second in 4:22:32. Australia’s Michelle Wu took the third podium spot.
Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Singapore –March 20, 2011
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Men
1. Kris Gemmell (NZL) 3:50:56
2. James Cunnama (RSA) 3:51:45
3. Pete Jacobs (AUS) 3:54:25
4. Patrick Vernay (NCL) 3:55:50
5. Faris Al-Sultan (GER) 3:56:13
Women
1. Mary Beth Ellis (USA) 4:21:06
2. Amy Marsh (USA) 4:22:32
3. Michelle Wu (AUS) 4:25:31
4. Maki Nishiuchi (JPN) 4:31:11
5. Rachael Paxton (AUS) 4:36:52